In this article we will formulate an Astros vs Rangers prediction for this MLB game on Friday, July 31st at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Houston Astros Betting Preview
The Houston Astros are 55-55 this season after they swept the Angels in three games by scores of 6-4, 3-2, and 7-4. In game three, Houston trailed 3-0 in the first inning, but they scored the next six runs to pull away with the win. The Astros recorded 11 hits in the game and they were led by Diaz, who went 4-5 with one home run and two RBIs. Wesneski allowed seven hits and three earned runs over 5.2 innings for the win, while Abreu picked up the save. Prior to that series, Houston won two out of three against the White Sox and all three against the Marlins.
This season, Houston has a 4.69 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP and a .240 opponent batting average, while they have scored 505 runs with a .241 batting average and a .316 on base percentage. Yordan Alvarez has led the Astros with 35 home runs and 80 RBIs, while Christian Walker has added 21 home runs and 62 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Houston is Hunter Brown, who is 2-1 with a 3.45 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP over 47.0 innings pitched this season.
Texas Rangers Betting Preview
The Texas Rangers are 55-54 this year after they lost two out of three against the Rays by scores of 4-1, 0-3, and 2-3. In game three, Texas led 2-1 in the fifth inning, but they failed to score over the last four innings for the loss. The Rangers recorded two hits and they were led by Langford, who went 1-4 with one RBI. Winn opened the game, while Gonzales allowed five hits and one earned run over 3.0 innings and Peoples picked up the loss. Prior to that series, Texas won three out of four against the Mariners, but lost two out of three against the White Sox before that.
This season, Texas has a 4.24 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and a .244 opponent batting average, while they have scored 456 runs with a .245 batting average and a .319 on base percentage. Jake Burger has led the Rangers with 19 home runs and 66 RBIs, while Ezequiel Duran has added 12 home runs and 57 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Texas is Nathan Eovaldi, who is 10-8 with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP over 122.1 innings pitched this year.
Why the Houston Astros will win
- The Rangers have lost each of their last seven night games against AL West opponents following a road loss.
- The Astros have won eight of their last nine games.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven night games against the Astros following a road loss.
- The Astros have covered the run line each of their last six night games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Astros have led after 3 innings in each of their last five night games against the Rangers at Daikin Park.
- The Rangers have lost the first inning in four of their last five night games at Daikin Park.
- The Astros have led after 5 innings in each of their last six night games against the Rangers at Daikin Park.
Why the Texas Rangers will win
- The Rangers have won each of their last four games as underdogs against AL West opponents.
- The Astros have lost each of their last four games as home favorites following a road win.
- The Rangers have covered the run line in eight of their last nine games as underdogs following a road loss.
- The Astros have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five games as home favorites following a road win.
- The Rangers have won the first inning in each of their last four games against AL West opponents.
- The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in six of their last seven night games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
- The Astros have trailed after 3 innings in six of their last seven night games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Rangers’ last 10 games against AL West opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Each of the Astros’ last four home games against American League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Rangers’ last 14 night games against AL West opponents.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the last seven night games between the Rangers and Astros.
Houston Astros Player Prop Facts
- Jeremy Pena has hit a home run in four of the Astros’ last five games as favorites.
- Hunter Brown has recorded seven or more strikeouts in five of his last six appearances against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
- Jeremy Pena has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 15 appearances in night games.
- Yordan Alvarez ranks 1st in the league in Home Runs (35) this season.
Texas Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Jake Burger has hit a home run in each of his last four appearances with the Rangers as underdogs against AL West opponents.
- Nathan Eovaldi has recorded a win in each of his last six appearances with the Rangers as underdogs.
- Nathan Eovaldi has recorded eight or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances against AL opponents.
- Elias Diaz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances with the Rangers as road underdogs.
- Brandon Nimmo is one of only eight players to record 10+ Home Runs and 4+ Triples this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Astros rank 30th in the league for walks allowed this season (471).
- The Astros rank 30th in the league for walks allowed this season (471).
- The Rangers rank 4th in the league for walks allowed this season (308).
- The Rangers rank 4th in the league for walks allowed this season (308).
Astros vs Rangers Prediction
Houston comes into this matchup after winning four of their last five games and they trail Texas by just a half game in the AL West. The Astros are 26-27 at home this year, while the Rangers are 27-29 on the road. Texas has lost three of their last five games, but they have allowed three runs or fewer in four straight. The Rangers are starting Eovaldi, who has allowed 3+ earned runs in three of his last four outings, while Brown has allowed 0, 4, 3, and 6 earned runs in his last four starts. Take the over here.